Scaffolding



Dec; 2 6, 1967 `1 W, M MSE 3,360,287

-SCMFOLDING Filed June 5, 1 965 v INVENTOR h//L ,5U/P M h/ysf United States Patent O 3,360,287 SCAFFOLDING Wilbur M. Wyse, Archbold, Ohio, assignor to Bil-Jax, Inc., Archbold, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed June 3, 1965, Ser. No. 461,109 6 Claims. (Cl. 287-535) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A brace lock for tubular scaffolding is provided which assures free movement of the locking member and positive locking action for cross braces connected to an upright of the scaffolding. The free movement of the locking member is achieved through a pin and washer arrangement which prevents the possibility of binding of the locking member and possible unlocking thereof through vibrations, trafilc, wind, etc.

This invention relates to an improved brace lock for tubular scaffolding, which lock assures free movement of a locking member and positive locking action for cross braces connected to au upright of the scaffolding.

Heretolfore, I designed a brace lock for tubular scaffolding which positively l-ocked the cross braces of the scaffolding regardless of whether they were of the type having holes or transverse sl-ots in the end portions. The slotted cross braces were held on a first or main shank by a second shank aflxed to the upright at a predetermined distance from the first shank to prevent transverse movement of the cross braces Ioil the first shank. The brace lock also was equipped with a locking member which slid down over the shanks in a manner such that accidental separation of the braces and the main shank was virtually impossible. In some instances, however, the locking member would not slide -down freely over the Shanks to the proper extent so lthat the possibility of separation of the cross braces and the main shank existed. Also, it was necessary t-o provide side flanges on the locking members heretofore known to assure proper guiding of the locking member in a vertical path relative to the tubular upright.

In accordance with the instant invention, I have discovered a manner of connecting and guiding the locking member relative to the Shanks to assure free sliding movement of the locking member relative thereto with effective locking action always then provided. Further in accordance with the invention, I have found that by properly guiding the locking member relative to both Shanks, the side flanges heretofore required can be eliminated. This not only lowers the cost of the locking member but enables the uprights carrying the brace locks to be stacked more closely together when stored or transported from one job to another, with the scaffolding knocked-down.

It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide an improved brace lock for scaffolding which establishes a more effective and positive locking action of cross braces relative to an upright of the scaffolding.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved brace lock which assures smooth, nonbinding motions of a locking member.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved brace lock for scaffolding which is less expensive and can be stored more compactly,

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

' FIG. 1 is a fragmentary view in perspective of a scafice folding upright, and two cross braces secured with respect to the upright by a brace lock embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a View in vertical cross section taken generally along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1, with certain portions broken away and in cross section; and

FIG. 3 is a view in horizontal cross section taken along the line 3 3 of FIG. 2.

Referring to the drawing, a brace lock assembly embodying the invention is indicated at 10 and includes a tubular upright 12 forming part of a knock-down type of modular scaffolding, a pair of cross braces 14 and 16, and a brace lock 18. The cross braces 14 and 16 can be of the slotted type having slots 20 in flattened ends 22 or they can also be of the hole type having single, central holes in the flattened ends.

A pair of headed bolt members 24 and 26 are affixed to the upright 12 and have threadless shanks 28 and 30 spaced apart a predetermined distance. The maximum distance between the shanks 28 and 30 is less than the width of the flattened ends 22 of the cross braces in orderk to prevent the cross braces from being slipped transversely off the lower shank 28 and thereby removed or separated from the upright 12. The minimum distance between the shanks 28 Vand 30, on the other hand, is greater than the distance between the blind end of the slots 20 and the opposite longitudinal edges of the flattened ends 22 so that the ends of the cross braces 14 and 16 can be slipped on the end of the lower shank 28; preferably this minimum distance is sufficient that the cross braces 14 and 16 can be placed at angles, `as shown.

The bolt members 24 and 26 also have heads 32 and 34- with concave surfaces indicated at 36 in FIG. 3 ofv a radius equal to the radius of the tubular upright 12. The heads 32 and 34 arethen affixed to the upright I12 in the predetermined positions by weld metal 38. It is important that the weld metal does not extend beyond annular surfaces 40 and 42 of the bolts 32 and 34 around the Shanks 28 and 3l) so that these surfaces 40 and 42 present smooth guiding surfaces which will substantially prevent binding. The heads 32 and 34 can be stepped, as shown, so the steps provide a guide for the limit of the weld metal. At predetermined distances from the heads 32 and 34, the Shanks 28 and 30 are equipped with transverse passages which receive roll pins 44 and 46. Between the roll pins 44 and 46 and the heads 32 and 34 are washers 48 and 50 which also establish guiding surfaces in cooperation with the annular surfaces 40 and 42 of the bolt heads.

A locking member 52 is used to prevent the cross bracesl 14 and 16 from being separated accidentally from the upright 12 with the resultant failure of the scaffolding. The locking member 52 includes a rear vertical wall 54 which has a vertical slot 56 terminating short of both ends of the Wall 54. The slot 56 receives both of the Shanks 28 and 30 and the wall 54 is guided between the washers 48 and 50 and the annular surfaces 40 and 42 of the bolt heads 32 and 34. The distance between the washers and the annular bolt head surfaces is such as to slightly exceed the thickness of the vertical wall 54; this, in combination with the smoothness of the surfaces, virtually prevents any possibility of binding of the locking member as it moves downwardly on the Shanks. Consequently, the locking member always is moved to the proper locking position after the cross braces are assembled with the lower shank 28. The effective vertical guiding motion provided for the locking member 52 also eliminates the need for side flanges cooperating with the tubular upright 12, as has heretofore been necessary. By eliminating the side flanges, not only is the cost of the locking member reduced but more of the locking assemblies 10 can be stored or transported from one job to another in a given amount of space.

The locking member 52 also includes a horizontal connecting wall 58 integral with the vertical wall 54 and extending outwardly from the wall 54 a distance less than the distance between the roll pins 44 and 46 and the ends of the Shanks 28 and 30. A second vertical wall 60 is integral with the outer end of the wall 58 and extends downwardly with an open ended slot 62 receiving the Shanks 28 and 30. The slot 62 is sufficiently long that bifurcated end portions 64 and 66 of the wall 60 extend slightly below the lower shank 28 when the upper shank 30 is at the upper end of the slot 62, thereby preventing the cross braces from slipping off the end of the shank 28. At this time, the shank 30 is also at the upper end of the closed slot 56.

When the locking member 52 is in the upper position, with the shank 30 at the lower end of the closed Slot 56, which determines the extent of the upward movement of the locking member 52, the bifurcated end portions 64 and 66 of the wall 60 are above the upper shank 30 to enable the cross braces 14 and 16 to be removed from the shank 28. This position is shown in dotted lines in FIG. 2.

With the smooth sliding and gliding fit achieved by the roll pins 44 and 46, the washers 48 and 50, and the annular surfaces 40 and 42 of the bolt heads 32 and 34, the locking member 52 will always slide down to the lower extremity of its vertical path when released, after the cross braces 14 and 16 are in place. There is no chance of the locking member working upwardly above the lower shank 28 due to vibratory or Swinging motion as caused by wind, traffic, etc. as has heretofore been possible with some brace locks. Further, as discussed above, the particular guiding arrangement for the locking member 52 eliminates the need for side flanges on the first vertical wall 54 with resulting savings in cost and compactness during storing. This is particularly important where a large number of the tubular uprights are used in a scaffolding Structure.

Various modifications of the above described embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and it is to be understood that Such modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention, if they are within the spirit and the tenor of the accompanying claims.

I claim:

1. A brace lock assembly for pivotally connecting slotted ends of a pair of cross brace members to a tubular upright of a scaffold, said brace lock assembly comprising a pair of bolt members having threadless Shanks of uniform cross section throughout their lengths and heads having concave upper surfaces of a radius substantially equal to the radius of said tubular upright, said heads being afiixed to Said tubular upright at predetermined distances by means of weld metal but leaving exposed the annular surfaces of Said heads circumjacent said Shanks, said Shanks having transverse holes formed therethrough at predetermined distances from Said heads, a roll pin extending through each of said holes beyond the peripheries of said Shanks, a washer on each of said Shanks between said bolt heads and Said roll pins, the distance between said roll pin of one of said Shanks and the end of said one shank being Sufficient to receive the slotted ends of the pair of cross braces, the distance between said Shanks being short enough that the other shank prevents the slotted ends of the cross braces from being transversely removable from said one shank when the braces are in position on said one shank, a lock member having a first flangeless Vertical wall terminating in longitudinal edges lying in the plane of Said wall, said wall having a vertically-extending closed slot terminating short of both ends of said wall, said Slot receiving both of said Shanks, Said vertical wall being between said heads and said washers, Said washers being spaced from said heads, when against said roll pins, a distance slightly in excess of the thickness of Said vertical Wall, a horizontal connecting wall at the upper end of said vertical wall extending outwardly away from Said upright, a Second vertical wall parallel to said first vertical wall and connected to said connecting wall, said second vertical wall extending downwardly from said connecting wall, the length of Said second vertical wall being greater than the distance between said Shanks, said second vertical wall having an openended slot therein extending vertically upwardly from the lower end of said second vertical Wall and being longer than the distance between said Shanks, Said connecting wall being shorter than the distance between said heads and the outer ends of said Shanks so that said Shanks extend through Said open-ended Slot past Said Second vertical wall, said closed slot in said first vertical wall being suiciently long to enable the lower end of said second vertical wall to be moved from a position below the lower shank to a position above said upper Shank, whereby said second vertical wall prevents movement of the brace ends off the end of said lower shank when said vertical wall iS in its lowest position, but does not interfere with movement of the fiattened ends off the end of Said lower Shank when Said Second vertical wall is in its highest position.

2 A brace lock assembly for pivotally connecting slotted ends of a pair of cross brace members to a tubular 'upright of a scaffold, said brace lock assembly comprising a pair of bolt members having threadless Shanks of uniform cross Section throughout their lengths and heads having concave upper surfaces of a radius substantially equal to the radius of Said tubular upright, said heads being affixed to Said tubular upright at predetermined distances by means of weld metal but leaving exposed the annular surfaces of said heads circumjacent said Shanks, said Shanks having transverse holes formed therethrough at predetermined distances from Said heads, a roll pin extending through each of Said holes and beyond the peripheries of Said Shanks, a washer on each of Said Shanks between Said bolt heads and said roll pins, one of said Shanks being long enough to receive the slotted ends of the pair of cross braces, the distance between said Shanks being sufficient that the other shank prevents the slotted flattened ends of the cross brace from being transversely removable from said one shank when the braces are in position on said one Shank, a lock member having a first angeless vertical wall terminating in longitudinal edges lying in the plane of Said wall, Said wall having a vertically-extending closed Slot, Said Slot receiving both of said Shanks, said vertical wall being between said heads and said washers, said washers being spaced from said heads, when against said roll pins, a distance slightly in excess of the thickness of said vertical wall, a connecting wall at the upper end of said vertical wall extending outwardly away from said upright, a second vertical wall parallel to said first vertical wall and connected thereto by said connecting wall, said second vertical wall extending downwardly from said Second connecting wall to prevent said cross braces from Slipping off said one shank.

3. A brace lock assembly for pivotally connecting ends of a pair of cross brace members to a tubular upright of a scaffold, said brace lock assembly comprising a pair of bolt members having threadless Shanks of uniform cross section throughout their lengths and heads aixed to said tubular upright at predetermined distances by means of weld metal but leaving exposed the annular Surfaces of said heads circumjacent Said Shanks, said Shanks having transverse holes formed therethrough at predetermined distances from said heads, a roll pin extending through each of said holes and beyond the peripheries of said Shanks, a washer on each of said Shanks between said bolt heads and Said roll pins, one of said shanks being long enough to receive the ends of the pair of cross braces, a lock member having a first angeless vertical wall terminating in longitudinal edges lying in the plane of Said wall, Said wall having a vertically-extending closed Slot, Said slot receiving both of said Shanks, said vertical wall being between said heads and said washers, said washers being spaced from said heads, when against said roll pins, a distance slightly in excess of the thickness of said vertical wall, a connecting wall at the upper end of said vertical wall extending outwardly away from said upright, a second vertical wall parallel to said rst vertical wall and -connected thereto by said connecting wall, said second vertical wall extending downwardly from said second connecting wall to prevent said cross braces from slipping off said one shank.

4. A brace lock assembly comprising a vertical upright, a cross brace member having a slotted end, a pair of threadless shanks affixed to said upright and extending outwardly in a common direction therefrom, said shanks being spaced apart a predetermined distance, said shanks having bolt heads affixed to .said upright with exposed annular surfaces facing away from said upright, said shanks having transverse passages, pins received in said transverse passages, washers between said pins and said annular bolt head surfaces, a locking member comprising a rst angeless vertical wall having a closed end slot therein, said shanks being received in said slot with said vertical wall being located between said washers and said annular bolt head surfaces, said locking member also having a horizontal wall integral with the vertical wall at the upper end thereof, and a second vertical wall at the outer end of said horizontal wall and extending downwardly to prevent said cross braces from being removed from said lower shank when said locking member is in a lower position and to enable said cross braces to be removed from said lower shank when said locking member is in an upper position.

5. A brace lock assembly comprising a vertical upright, a cross brace member, a pair of shanks aiiixed to said upright and extending outwardly in a common direction therefrom, said shanks being spaced apart a predetermined distance, said shanks having heads aflixed to said upright with annular surfaces facing away from said upright, said shanks having transverse passages, pins received in said transverse passages, washer means between said pins and said annular head surfaces, a locking member comprising a rst vertical wall having a closed end slot therein, said shanks being received in said slot With said vertical wall being located between said washer means and said annular bolt head surfaces, said locking member also having a connecting wall integral with the vertical wall at the upper end thereof, and a second vertical wall at the outer end of said connecting wall and extending downwardly to prevent said cross braces from being removed from said lower shank when said locking member is in a lower position.

6. A brace lock assembly comprising a vertical upright, a cross brace member, a pair of threadless shanks with heads aixed to said upright and extending outwardly in a common direction therefrom, said shanks being spaced apart a predetermined distance, said shanks having transverse passages, roll pins received in said transverse passages, washers between said roll pins and said heads, a locking member comprising a first vertical wall having a closed end slot therein, said shanks being received in said slot with said vertical wall being located between said washers and said heads, said locking member also having a connecting wall integral with the vertical wall at the upper end thereof, and a second vertical wall at the outer end of said connecting wall and extending downwardly to prevent said cross braces from being removed from said lower shank when said locking member is in a lower position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,841,452 7/1958 Borgrnan et al 287-535 3,017,208 1/1962 Wyse 287-535 3,034,812 5/1962 Causey 287-535 3,122,385 2/1964 Levizzani 287-535 CARL W. TOMLIN, Primary Examiner.

A. V. KUNDRAT, Assistant Examiner. 

5. A BRACE LOCK ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A VERTICAL UPRIGHT, A CROSS BRACE MEMBER, A PAIR OF SHANKS AFFIXED TO SAID UPRIGHT AND EXTENDING OUTWARDLY IN A COMMON DIRECTION THEREFROM, SAID SHANKS BEING SPACED APART A PREDETERMINED DISTANCE, SAID SHANKS HAVING HEADS AFFIXED TO SAID UPRIGHT WITH ANNULAR SURFACES FACING AWAY FROM SAID UPRIGHT, SAID SHANKS HAVING TRANSVERSE PASSAGES, PINS RECEIVED IN SAID TRANSVERSE PASSAGES, WASHER MEANS BETWEEN SAID PINS AND SAID ANNULAR HEAD SURFACES, A LOCKING MEMBER COMPRISING A FIRST VERTICAL WALL HAVING A CLOSED END SLOT THEREIN, SAID SHANKS BEING RECEIVED IN SAID SLOT WITH SAID VERTICAL WALL BEING LOCATED BETWEEN SAID WASHER 